Employment in CT Nonprofits - Paycheck with a Purpose

Community Contributor linda.friedman2

Employment in CT Nonprofits - Paycheck with a PurposeSubmitted by: Linda Friedman, Program Director, Encore!HartfordEncore!Hartford, a 16-week program that assists unemployed, underemployed and dislocated Connecticut seasoned corporate professionals transition their skill-sets and experience into successful professional and managerial employment in the Connecticut nonprofit sector is Accepting Applications For Its Seventh Class.Encore!Hartford is developed and implemented by the University of Connecticut Nonprofit Leadership Program in strong partnership with Leadership Greater Hartford, AARP Connecticut, Capital Workforce Partners, American Job Center, CT Department of Labor, CT Association of Nonprofits, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and Jewish Family Services.This intensive workforce development training program provides sixty-four hours of classroom education held in Greater Hartford nonprofits; presentations from nonprofit senior leaders and seasoned practitioners in the Connecticut nonprofit sector; networking and specialized nonprofit resume and job search development; and capstoning with a two-month, professional/managerial-level fellowship at a Connecticut nonprofit providing experience in the field."Encore!Hartford is designed to address two critical needs: reducing unemployment in the Connecticut professional sector and increasing the capacity of Connecticut nonprofits" says Dr. David Garvey, Director of UConn's Nonprofit Leadership Program. "Mid-career and traditional retirement-age corporate and government professionals are seeking purposeful work that provides a salary, but that also contributes back to society. Encore!Hartford provides the training they need to make that transition." Just ask Tracie Cloutier, a 2014 Encore!Hartford graduate, who after 26 years in the insurance business in Hartford was seeking an encore career with more purpose. After completing the program and a fellowship at a local nonprofit, Tracie was offered the position of project director at the Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program (CPEP), promoting STEM education for disadvantaged youth. "I was pleasantly surprised that so much of my experience in corporate was actually transferrable. They were very receptive to me bringing a fresh perspective, my project management or communication skills. There's nothing more satisfying than having your work be something that you're passionate about and something that just improves the community that you live in", offers Tracie.In this challenging economy, Encore!Hartford has a current 91% employment rate amongst the graduates of its first five classes. The work, success and strategies of Encore!Hartford have been covered by Forbes Magazine and the New York Times and are featured in two national publications; The Encore Career Handbook by Marci Alboher and AARP's Great Jobs for Everyone 50+, by Kerry Hannon. Encore!Hartford is the recipient of the 2015 University of Connecticut Provost's Award for Excellence in Public Engagement For Career Recognition For Team.Encore!Hartford will be held from March 3 to June 17, 2016. Twenty-five Encore Fellows will be accepted into the 2016 class. Applications for Encore!Hartford 2016 will be accepted through January 29, 2016. Course fee is $2,950. Funding assistance is available for qualified applicants. Interested applicants should contact Linda Friedman, Program Director at linda.friedman@uconn.edu. Program information can also be found online at http://nonprofit.leadership.uconn.edu/encore

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